Known as one of the adventure centres of the world, Queenstown is full of thrilling adventures and heart pounding activities, sure to crack your nerves. However, if you are travelling with your family, there are plenty of attractions downtown, suitable for family trips as well. Here are a few you can visit by choosing cheap bus hire in Queenstown.
Queenstown Underwater Observatory
It’s a different feeling to take a look beneath the admired Lake Wakatipu, and witness the residents finding shelter in a diverse climate. The lake is abode to a variety of species including Long Finned Eels, Scaup Ducks, as well as Rainbow and Brown trout species. Not only you get an option to feed the fish, but also learn about the Maori mythological history. This underwater observatory is located on the Main Town Pier, and is a great family spot for everyone. You can get a Kawarau Jet Boat Ride as an added bonus.
Lake Wakatipu
If you want to have a good outdoor experience, there cannot be a better place than Lake Wakatipu. Make the best of the climate with some fun sports, and equipment on hire for paddling and balancing on the water. The aqua bikes or paddle boats attest to be really exciting for the entire family, with seats accommodating 4 people at a time. You can try your hands at paddle boarding, if you are looking for a solo activity.
You can go aboard on a full day or half day outing around Lake Wakatipu, if you are looking for a more eventful adventure. Tours are specifically designed to cater all skill levels and pace, ideal for anyone looking to explore the most beautiful landscape of the region. Full day tours can run up to 7-8 hours, while half-day trips last for 4 hours.
The Goldfields Experience
Travel back in time to visit a place which once used to be a gold mining spot in Cromwell. Located hardly a 30-minute drive towards the west, this is a great place for the whole family to strike gold, if you are fortunate enough. You can board on a tour to learn more about the life that existed back then in Goldfields and how people used to mine the gold during these times. You will be taken through the old equipment, including live demonstration of the stamper battery. With hopes of finding riches, many people from across the globe travelled here in the 1800s, and made themselves a significant part of the history.
It is known that the region still has some gold in it, and if you have the persistence to look for it, you may strike some. Self-guided tours may be better in such a case.
Kiwi Birdlife Park
Birdlife in New Zealand is not only limited to kiwis. There is a variety of pretty and intelligent birds you can find in the Kiwi Birdlife Park, including New Zealand Shoveller, South Island Pied Oystercatcher, New Zealand Falcon and many more. It’s not the just the native birds finding shelter at this park, but also some scaled friends including Brushtailed Possum, Australia’s Rainbow Lorikeet, Forest Gecko and Green Gecko.
Experts will give you a deep insight into the understanding of resident animals and their surrounding habitats. Some of the key presentations include the Conservation Show, Tuatara Encounter and Kiwi Feeding. The birdlife park also houses the thrilling Forest Walk, which will take you past the cultural heritage of the Maori Hunting Village. You can relax by the Kiwi Café with great coffee, home-grown treats and delicious food.
Queenstown Ice Arena
Located in Queenstown Gardens, Queenstown Ice Arena offers great activities in winter, suitable for both beginners and professional ice skaters, being an exciting experience for one and all. If skating isn’t your cup of tea, you can rather enjoy a cup of cappuccino at the alpine style café. For your kids to get that extra stability and confidence, there are various assistance available including Ice Sleds, Ride On Seals and Penguin Pals. Other facilities include puck hire, a hockey stick and a splendid LED lighting system. It is open 7 days a week, with extended sessions on Friday.
Discover The Glowworm Caves
The popular glowworm caves of Te Anau can be accessed through the extensive network, with the incredible creatures lighting up the cavern like fairy lights. Watching a phenomenon unfold before your eyes is an exciting experience. Under the guidance of an expert, you will be walking and cruising through the caves. The journey commences with you cruising past the Lake Te Anau, followed by a stroll through the forest, learning about native wildlife.
It is going to be a truly unique experience with awesome glow worms, fantastic birdlife, beautiful scenery and great refreshment. The canyon will be completely dark, for you to experience glowworms in the best shape.
Racing Down The Luge
Overlooking the elegant Queenstown area, you are surely going to love rolling down the hill with Skyline’s Luge. Secured safely with a helmet, sit back in the comfortable Luge cart and control speeding with efficient braking system. Tracks of various difficulty levels are available, ranging from an easy one blending slightly and inclining slowly, as well as the advanced one with steep gradient and sharp bends.
Once you reach down the base, you can carry out this activity all over again by catching up the Luge chairlift, back to top. This is an exciting and thrilling activity for the entire family to enjoy. Challenge your fellow participants to see who reaches the bottom first. For incredible views of Queenstown area, you can combine the Luge ride with a Gondola one. One can also have a scrumptious buffet lunch at the summit of the peak, in Stratosfare Restaurant.
If you are travelling in a big group, it is advisable to opt for bus hire with all the amenities, including an experienced driver to make your ride pleasurable and affordable at the same time. The joy of travelling together with your friends or family is unmatched with the price you pay for it!